The NBA handed down its harshest punishment in league history on Tuesday, banning Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and fining him $2.5 million after racist comments on a recording were made public.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he would try to force Sterling to sell the team, according to ESPN. Sterling is barred from attending NBA games or practices, being present at any Clippers facility, or participating in any business or personnel decisions involving the team or the league, according to the report. And the fine he faces is the maximum allowed.

The decision quickly drew favorable responses from players and executives throughout the league, including Charlotte Bobcats owner and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.

“I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s swift and decisive response today," Jordan said in a prepared statement Tuesday. "He sent a powerful message that there can be zero tolerance for racism and hatred in the NBA. I’m confident that the league, our players and our fans will move on from this stronger and more unified.”

On Sunday, a day after the remarks hit the news, Jordan had issued a strongly worded statement condemning the comments as both a current owner and a former player.

Silver has three days to present the charges in writing to Sterling, who then has five days to respond, according to a USA Today report. A special hearing of the NBA Board of Governors must be held within 10 days of that response, according to the report.

Sterling's lawyer declined to comment when asked by ESPN whether his client intended to dispute or respond to the charges.